Chargers' Philip Rivers had lowest sack total under pressure in 2017

Chargers' Philip Rivers had lowest sack total under pressure in 2017

Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers may not be the most mobile quarterback in the NFL. But he has proven to be the absolute master at not taking sacks when faced with pressure in recent years, even posting the lowest sack percentage while under pressure in the NFL in 2017 at 8.1 percent, according to Pro Football Focus.

Behind Rivers were former Vikings QB Case Keenum (10.7 percent) and Jaguars QB Blake Bortles (11.7 percent), per PFF. However, what PFF often misses upon burying their heads in statistical databases is the larger picture of what a stat is telling fans.

Los Angeles had arguably the worst center in football in 2017 in Spencer Pulley. He chronically allowed quick pressure up the middle which played a factor in running back Melvin Gordon averaging less than four yards per carry, again, while forcing Rivers to throw the ball away an inordinate amount of times.

In fact, it’s Rivers’ lack of mobility and his offensive line’s inconsistent play at right tackle and center that led to him having to chuck the ball away at a higher rate than any other NFL QB in 2017.

But with improvements coming in front of Rivers with the return of offensive guard Forrest Lamp and the signing of center Mike Pouncey to supplant Pulley, it’s unlikely that Rivers will be forced to quickly fling the ball away as much in 2018. That will likely mean that he may actually take more sacks this season due to feeling more comfortable in the pocket and being able to allow plays to develop at a level that he hasn’t been accustomed to in years.